Sweet Shallots for Valentine's

Local Food: The Lovinskys at Eastview Farm in East Hardwick brought us their bumper crop of Prisma shallots this year, a true labor of love. They start their shallots from seeds sown in early March in soil blocks, then transplant the seedlings into richly prepared soil in May for a fall harvest.  Growing like garlic, with multiple cloves and paper skin, their flavor is much more sweet and mild. Shallots became common in European cuisine after they were introduced from the ancient Levantine city of Ascalon.  Steven oven roasts the "queen of the sauce onions" (according to The Joy of Cooking) with the slightly sweet East Shore Vineyard Traminette to make a spicy butter sauce to accompany the ribeye from Snug Valley Farm, as well as the mussels.  Shallots also add a nice mellow kick to the crab bake with celery root, lemon thyme crumbs and remoulade.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, February 19th we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Traminette or Cabernet Franc.  Try our Whiskey Apple Fizz, made with whiskey, Champlain Orchards apple cider and ginger beer, offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: The event calendar is filling up - stay tuned at www.galaxybookshop.com. Event season kicks off on March 6th with Howard Frank Mosher and the World Premier of The Great Northern Express. Plan to meet your friends at Claire's for dinner and a rollicking evening with Howard Frank Mosher .

Music Notes: Flat Top Trio joins us this Thursday, February 16 at 7:00.  Support local music and enjoy the tunes of this Bluegrass/Americana group!

Local Events: A family friendly Contra Dance and dessert potluck is this Saturday, February 18 at 7:00 at Sterling College in the Dunbar Dining Hall. Ned Houston will be calling.  All are welcome!

There are still reservations available for Valentine's Day dinner!  Woo your sweatheart or celebrate your friends and family by making dinner reservations now.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. Claire's is closed every Wednesday.

We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduced those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!